Yoga May Help Reduce the Risk of Diabetes

According to National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), 25.8 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, a failure of blood sugar control within the body. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

A recent article by Mary Beth Sammons in YogaUOnline.com cited research from Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Southern Denmark that indicates the regular practice of yoga may help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes! This study “found that the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes was cut by between 30 and 40 per cent with just 3.5 hours of yoga and other muscle-strengthening activities along with aerobic exercise a week.” It is one of only a few studies that looked at “the effects of muscle strengthening activities, such as weight training and yoga, in the prevention of diabetes,” and “affirms previous studies that yoga reduces the risk factors for diabetes and heart disease too.”

Just 3.5 hours a week of yoga practice to potentially make a dramatic difference?!? Muscles make a difference and with yoga, the muscles get worked fully, but in a low impact way that doesn’t stress the joints. And, as Kristi Lees notes in BodyBuilding.com, with yoga, “the muscles and surrounding tissues are lengthened and relaxed during yoga asana (Sanskrit word for postures) which creates more room for blood to flow. This in turn attracts more oxygen to the area helping muscles to heal and grow, making them more effective for your next workout (and less sore in everyday life).” Muscle development also allows glucose to process more efficiently in the body.

What health threatening situation could be reduced or alleviated from your life with added yoga practice? Is a commitment to time in the studio just what the doctor ordered? Let us know how we can help!